Musical Showcase: A Swinging Version of Tumbalalaika by Lea Kalisch and Jewbalaya

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, sharing our 27th version of this universal courting and love song.

It's played by Jewbalaya and sung by its principal singer, Lea Kalisch. From Rap to Rumba, Folk to Feminism, Lea blends styles and languages like a smoothie. Lea is a Swiss Jewish international entertainer who gives tradition a facelift. Yiddish Theater, forgotten melodies, original songs, and mashups—all delivered with young, zestful energy. 

Jewbalaya plays a good-time mixture of Klezmer and Traditional New Orleans Jazz. With a horn section, drums, banjo, accordion and vocals, Jewbalaya offers a shmaltzy stew of funky beats and Yiddish treats. Jewbalaya has performed recently at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mall of America, The Slavic Experience Festival, and more.

In this video, Lea and Jewbalaya sing and play a swinging version of the Yiddish folk song Tumbalalaika. It was recorded at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. 

Enjoy! 

Musical Showcase: Lea Kalisch and Jewbalaya Sing Az Der Rebbe Zingt and Bim Bam

Jewbalaya plays a good-time mixture of Klezmer and Traditional New Orleans Jazz. With a horn section, drums, banjo, accordion and vocals, Jewbalaya offers a shmaltzy stew of funky beats and Yiddish treats. Jewbalaya has performed recently at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mall of America, The Slavic Experience Festival, and more.

Jewbalaya's vocalist is Lea Kalisch. From Rap to Rumba, Folk to Feminism, Lea blends styles and languages like a smoothie. Lea is a Swiss Jewish international entertainer who gives tradition a facelift. Yiddish Theater, forgotten melodies, original songs, and mashups—all delivered with young, zestful energy. She slips into different characters to make you laugh with one eye and cry with the other. 

In this video, Lea and Jewbalaya sing and play the Yiddish classics Az Der Rebbe Zingt and Bim Bam.

Enjoy! 

Dolly Parton's Hit Song "9 to 5" - In Yiddish!

Did you know that Dolly Parton's song 9 to 5 was inspired by 9 to 5, a workplace feminist movement? 

In 1973, Ellen Cassedy founded the organization with the aim of bringing about fair pay and equal treatment for women in the workplace. 9 to 5 is so much more than a toe-tapping song! 

So, for Women's History Month in March, actor and singer Lea Kalisch put out this brand new Yiddish version, with lyrics by Ellen Cassedy herself.

Lea Kalisch is a multi-lingual and multi-disciplinary New York City based performer. Originally from Switzerland, Lea moved to NYC in 2014 to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She earned a BFA in Musical Theater from The New School.

Lea has an insatiable curiosity for life and loves to use her vigorous enthusiasm to entertain and challenge audiences as much as herself. 

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Passover Musical Countdown: A Yiddish Version of Echad Mi Yodea (Who Knows One)

Lea Kalisch is a multi-lingual and multi-disciplinary New York City based performer. Originally from Switzerland, Lea moved to NYC in 2014 to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She earned a BFA in Musical Theater from The New School.

 

In this video she is accompanied on guitar by Rabbi Tobias Divack Moss, a rabbi at Temple Israel of Minneapolis, in Mu Asapru, a Yiddish version of the classic seder song Echad Mi Yodea (Who Knows One). It's a version made famous by folksinger Theodore Bikel in his record albums and personal appearances.

 

Enjoy! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.